Ruthless Celtic surged five points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 5-0 blitzing of Ross County at Parkhead.

First-half goals from Liam Scales, Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah had Brendan Rodgers's men 5-0 up and cruising by the interval.

The Irishman made six changes to his starting XI following the 1-1 midweek Champions League draw at home against Club Brugge. In came Alex Valle, Scales, McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah and James Forrest and out went Greg Taylor. Auston Trusty, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels, Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn.

There was no such thing as a European hangover as the home side ran riot in the opening 45 minutes. Scales got the ball rolling when he bulleted home a header from McCowan's accurate corner kick from the right on 10 minutes. The scorer then turned provider on 27 minutes when the Republic of Ireland international defender lofted a superb pass forward. McCowan instantly killed it with his left and spun, and his effort deflected in via Akil Wright.

It was three and easy on 35 minutes when Bernardo showed composure to coolly slot home from close range after yet another attack. Barely sixty seconds later skipper McGregor smashed home a beauty from 25 yards as he claimed his sixth goal of the season after being teed up by McCowan.

Not to be outdone Republic of Ireland attacker Idah got his name on the scoresheet after McCowan fed him and the 23-year-old showed some quick feet before curling home a cracker from the edge of the box.

After the break, Idah smashed in a header but was denied a second goal by the frame of the woodwork. Valle was then prevented from netting his first Celtic strike owing to a fantastic save by Jack Hamilton and substitute Greg Taylor also sneaked in a shot that came back off the post.

However, the damage was done in a clinical and breathtaking opening period when Rodgers's side simply blew the Staggies away. 

It was a superb team performance by a rampant Celtic as the champions moved five points clear of Aberdeen and a massive 14 ahead of city rivals Rangers with both title challengers not in action until tomorrow.

Alex Valle is a person of interest; Celtic need to ask Barcelona the question

Celtic need to be working behind the scenes to secure Valle on a long-term deal if possible. The Scottish champions have to conduct their due diligence and ask Barcelona the question every week from now until June. At 20 years of age, the Spaniard from La Masia Academy is a frightening prospect. What a talent. This guy appears to have everything in his arsenal.  He was even denied his first Celtic career goal owing to a superb stop by Ross County goalkeeper Jack Hamilton. Valle may well cost a pretty penny by the time his loan deal expires but at this early juncture, the clinching of his signature on a permanent contract would be worth it.

Liam Scales played as if he's never been out of the side

The Irishman had been outstanding this season and found himself out of the side through no fault of his own. It was the central defender who got the ball rolling in this one as he powered home a header following McCowan's corner. It was a goal akin to his counter against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. To be fair to Scales that is one of the great strengths of his game. The centre-back is always willing to attack the ball at setpieces, especially if the delivery is on the money. The goalscorer then turned provider with one of the pickouts of the season. What vision he showed and his lofted ball forward to McCowan who did the rest was exquisite. It was Franz Beckenbauersesque. That's the highest compliment one could pay to Scales on a day when he was immense.

Take a bow Luke McCowan, take a bow fella

The former Dundee skipper was having the time and game of his life against Ross County. The midfielder contributed three assists and a goal in a masterclass of a performance in the opening 45 minutes alone. It was his corner kick that led to Scales scoring and it was his setups for McGregor and Idah that led to their strikes. He also superbly plucked Scales' fantastic long ball from the air to turn and smash home via a defender. McCowan was a hub of energy and creativity for Celtic and he was everywhere in the park. The Celtic supporters adore him. Bookmark this McCowan will turn out to be one of the best-ever signings for the club at a bargain basement fee of £1 million. This boy is a huge talent and has real ability and thoroughly merited his man-of-the-match award. He deserves every success that comes his way. The 26-year-old zest for the game is infectious and he played like a man possessed and possibly played his way into the starting lineup to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie in midweek. 

Paulo Bernardo showed exactly why he should be a regular starter in Rodgers's team

The Portuguese under-21 captain was given a start in place of Arne Engels and he grasped his opportunity with both feet. He is a player who is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. He possesses wonderful technique and he was coolness personified as he swept home the third goal as if he were shelling peas. There had been a clamour to get Bernardo to start more matches and he certainly justified his selection against the Staggies. Bernardo is a creative playmaker who has oodles of composure and his spatial and tactical awareness are second to none. You would expect nothing less from a graduate of the famed Benfica academy but he is beginning to show why Rodgers rated him so highly and pursued him rigorously in the summer.

Adam Idah is starting to make his presence felt in green and white...again!

The Republic of Ireland international striker was lamenting his goals return since he became a permanent signing in the summer. That's three in his last two matches for the attacker. The 23-year-old scored an absolute peach as his nifty footwork saw him escape his marker before he curled home an absolute beauty to make it 5-0. The goals will do wonders for his confidence levels but his all-round link-up play and close control are something that he has been working on. He headed a superb effort off the crossbar in the second half. He is more than just a targetman and given time will plunder many goals and prove to be the real deal for Celtic. The £8.5 million summer signing from Norwich City is starting to motor once again and is in a rich vein of form. That alone should strike fear into opposition defences as he is only getting started.